US7442890B1 - Button device - Google Patents

Button device Download PDF

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Publication number
US7442890B1
US7442890B1 US11/828,361 US82836107A US7442890B1 US 7442890 B1 US7442890 B1 US 7442890B1 US 82836107 A US82836107 A US 82836107A US 7442890 B1 US7442890 B1 US 7442890B1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
switch
power supply
button
electronic device
switch module
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US11/828,361
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US20080245643A1 (en
Inventor
Yun-Lung Chen
Qing-Hao Wu
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Hongfujin Precision Industry Shenzhen Co Ltd
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Hongfujin Precision Industry Shenzhen Co Ltd
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Hongfujin Precision Industry Shenzhen Co Ltd, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co Ltd filed Critical Hongfujin Precision Industry Shenzhen Co Ltd
Assigned to HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD., HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD. reassignment HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CHEN, YUN-LUNG, WU, QING-HAO
Publication of US20080245643A1 publication Critical patent/US20080245643A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US7442890B1 publication Critical patent/US7442890B1/en
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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/023—Light-emitting indicators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2219/00—Legends
    • H01H2219/036—Light emitting elements
    • H01H2219/048—Constituting key
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/07—Actuators transparent

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a button device, and more particularly to a power button device for a power supply which is for supplying electric power to an electronic device.
  • a push button is often disposed on a control panel of an electronic device to control a switch behind the control panel.
  • one conventional button device for an electronic device includes a panel defining an opening, a button module, a switch, and an indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED).
  • the button module has two opposite ends attached to the panel.
  • a transparent button is suspended at a middle of the button module and aligned with the opening of the panel.
  • the indicator LED is attached behind the button.
  • a triggering member is movable together with the button.
  • the switch remains a pre-determined distance from the panel, and out of alignment with the opening of the panel.
  • the triggering member is laterally inserted between the switch and the panel for triggering the switch when the button is pressed.
  • the button is pressed and urges the triggering member to press a head of the switch to power on or off the electronic device.
  • the LED becomes luminous or dark consequently.
  • the structure of the button module and the assembly process are complicated.
  • a button device for an electronic device includes a transparent active button; a switch module located behind the active button and a holder for holding the switch module therein fixed in the electronic device.
  • the switch module includes a switch base, and an actuatable switch head incorporated with the switch base, the switch head includes a luminous component with electric connection to a power supply of the electronic device, the luminous component is configured to be pressed by the active button and indicate on or off state of the power supply.
  • the active button is pressed for turning on or off the power supply
  • the luminous component is pressed by the active button to urge the switch module to switch on or off the power supply and becomes luminous or dark consequently.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a button device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an active button, a switch module, and a holder for securing the switch module;
  • FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the button device of FIG. 1 .
  • a button device for an electronic device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a transparent active button 10 , a switch module 20 with electric connections to a power supply of the electronic device to switch on or off the power supply, and a holder 30 fixed in the electronic device for holding the switch module 20 in the electronic device.
  • the switch module 20 includes a switch base 22 and an actuatable switch head 21 movably attached to the switch base 22 .
  • the switch head 21 includes an LED and a cuboid-shaped rear end incorporated together with the LED.
  • the switch base 22 includes a head housing 23 for mounting the rear end of the switch head 21 therein.
  • the switch module 20 is configured for selectively switching the power supply on or off.
  • the LED of the switch head 21 has positive and negative terminals connecting to the power supply of the electronic device (not shown) for indicating an on or off state of the power supply of the electronic device. When the power supply is switched off by the switch module 20 , the LED is switched off accordingly. Thus, the button cap is not illuminated, indicating a power-off state of the power supply.
  • the LED When the power supply is switched on by the switch module 20 , the LED is accordingly switched on.
  • the transparent button cap is illuminated by the LED, thus indicating a power-on state of the power supply.
  • the LED functions as a switch trigger for triggering switching functions of the switch module 20 .
  • the holder 30 includes a cuboid-shaped switch housing 31 for receiving the switch base 22 of the switch module 20 therein and a resilient hook 32 at one side of the switch housing 31 for catching the switch base 22 of the switch module 20 .
  • the rear end of the switch head 21 is movably mounted into the head housing 23 of the switch base 22 .
  • the assembled switch module 20 is mounted in the switch housing 31 of the holder 30 with the resilient hook 32 catching a front side of the switch base 22 of the switch module 20 .
  • the positive and negative terminals of the LED pass through the switch housing 31 of the holder 30 to connect with the power supply (not shown).
  • the switch head 21 is pressed inwardly towards the switch base 22 and then released, it urges the switch module 20 to switch on or off the power supply of the electronic device and rebounds back to an original position thereof.
  • the active button 10 is mounted in front of the switch module 20 and capable of moving towards the switch head 21 to activate the switch head 21 .
  • a top end of the active button 10 is resiliently fixed to the electronic device (not shown).
  • a lower portion of the active button 10 is free and transparent.
  • the active button 10 is capable of resiliently rebounding back to its original position after a pressing action is performed.
  • a central portion of the transparent portion of the activate button 10 is aligned with the switch head 21 and perpendicular to an axis of the switch module 20 for facilitating actuating the switch module 20 and conducting light from the LED of the switch head 21 evenly.
  • the switch head 21 In use, when the active button 10 is pressed for turning on the power supply of the electronic device, the switch head 21 is pressed inwardly by the active button 10 for urging the switch module 20 to switch on the power supply, and the LED of the switch head 21 is consequently powered on and emits light, which passes through the transparent active button 10 to indicate that the power supply is on; when the active button 10 is pressed again for powering off the power supply, the switch head 21 is actuated again by the active button 10 for urging the switch module 20 to switch off the power supply, and the LED of the switch head 21 is consequently turned off and become dark to indicate that the power supply is powered off.

Landscapes

  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
  • Switch Cases, Indication, And Locking (AREA)

Abstract

A button device for an electronic device includes a transparent active button (10); a switch module (20) located behind the active button, and a holder (30) for holding the switch module therein fixed in the electronic device. The switch module includes a switch base (22), and an actuatable switch head (21) incorporated with the switch base, the switch head includes a luminous component with electric connection to a power supply of the electronic device, the luminous component is configured to be pressed by the active button for urging the switch module to switch on or off the power supply and indicate an on or off state of the power supply.

Description

BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a button device, and more particularly to a power button device for a power supply which is for supplying electric power to an electronic device.
2. General Background
A push button is often disposed on a control panel of an electronic device to control a switch behind the control panel.
For example, one conventional button device for an electronic device, includes a panel defining an opening, a button module, a switch, and an indicator Light Emitting Diode (LED). The button module has two opposite ends attached to the panel. A transparent button is suspended at a middle of the button module and aligned with the opening of the panel. The indicator LED is attached behind the button. A triggering member is movable together with the button. The switch remains a pre-determined distance from the panel, and out of alignment with the opening of the panel. The triggering member is laterally inserted between the switch and the panel for triggering the switch when the button is pressed. In use, the button is pressed and urges the triggering member to press a head of the switch to power on or off the electronic device. When the electronic device is powered on or off, the LED becomes luminous or dark consequently. However, in this conventional button device, the structure of the button module and the assembly process are complicated.
Accordingly, a button device having a simplified configuration which overcomes the above-mentioned problems is desired.
SUMMARY
A button device for an electronic device includes a transparent active button; a switch module located behind the active button and a holder for holding the switch module therein fixed in the electronic device. The switch module includes a switch base, and an actuatable switch head incorporated with the switch base, the switch head includes a luminous component with electric connection to a power supply of the electronic device, the luminous component is configured to be pressed by the active button and indicate on or off state of the power supply. When the active button is pressed for turning on or off the power supply, the luminous component is pressed by the active button to urge the switch module to switch on or off the power supply and becomes luminous or dark consequently.
Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with the attached drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a button device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an active button, a switch module, and a holder for securing the switch module;
FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the button device of FIG. 1.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a button device for an electronic device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a transparent active button 10, a switch module 20 with electric connections to a power supply of the electronic device to switch on or off the power supply, and a holder 30 fixed in the electronic device for holding the switch module 20 in the electronic device.
The switch module 20 includes a switch base 22 and an actuatable switch head 21 movably attached to the switch base 22. The switch head 21 includes an LED and a cuboid-shaped rear end incorporated together with the LED. The switch base 22 includes a head housing 23 for mounting the rear end of the switch head 21 therein. The switch module 20 is configured for selectively switching the power supply on or off. The LED of the switch head 21 has positive and negative terminals connecting to the power supply of the electronic device (not shown) for indicating an on or off state of the power supply of the electronic device. When the power supply is switched off by the switch module 20, the LED is switched off accordingly. Thus, the button cap is not illuminated, indicating a power-off state of the power supply. When the power supply is switched on by the switch module 20, the LED is accordingly switched on. The transparent button cap is illuminated by the LED, thus indicating a power-on state of the power supply. In the exemplary embodiment, the LED functions as a switch trigger for triggering switching functions of the switch module 20.
The holder 30 includes a cuboid-shaped switch housing 31 for receiving the switch base 22 of the switch module 20 therein and a resilient hook 32 at one side of the switch housing 31 for catching the switch base 22 of the switch module 20.
Referring also to FIG. 2, in assembly, the rear end of the switch head 21 is movably mounted into the head housing 23 of the switch base 22. Then the assembled switch module 20 is mounted in the switch housing 31 of the holder 30 with the resilient hook 32 catching a front side of the switch base 22 of the switch module 20. The positive and negative terminals of the LED pass through the switch housing 31 of the holder 30 to connect with the power supply (not shown). In this preferred embodiment, after the switch head 21 is pressed inwardly towards the switch base 22 and then released, it urges the switch module 20 to switch on or off the power supply of the electronic device and rebounds back to an original position thereof. The active button 10 is mounted in front of the switch module 20 and capable of moving towards the switch head 21 to activate the switch head 21. A top end of the active button 10 is resiliently fixed to the electronic device (not shown). A lower portion of the active button 10 is free and transparent. Thus the active button 10 is capable of resiliently rebounding back to its original position after a pressing action is performed. A central portion of the transparent portion of the activate button 10 is aligned with the switch head 21 and perpendicular to an axis of the switch module 20 for facilitating actuating the switch module 20 and conducting light from the LED of the switch head 21 evenly.
In use, when the active button 10 is pressed for turning on the power supply of the electronic device, the switch head 21 is pressed inwardly by the active button 10 for urging the switch module 20 to switch on the power supply, and the LED of the switch head 21 is consequently powered on and emits light, which passes through the transparent active button 10 to indicate that the power supply is on; when the active button 10 is pressed again for powering off the power supply, the switch head 21 is actuated again by the active button 10 for urging the switch module 20 to switch off the power supply, and the LED of the switch head 21 is consequently turned off and become dark to indicate that the power supply is powered off.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the preferred embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims (10)

1. A button device for a power supply of an electronic device, comprising:
a light-permeable button cap;
a switch module located behind the button cap, comprising a switch, and a switch head disposed under the button cap, the switch head comprising a luminous component with electric connection to the power supply, the switch being configured for switching the power supply between a power-on state in which the luminous component is powered by the power supply, thereby illuminating the button cap and a power-off state in which the power supply and the luminous component are switched off; and
a holder for receiving and mounting the switch of the switch module therein;
wherein the button cap is secured to the electronic device; and
the button cap comprises a fixed end secured to the electronic device, and a distal free end disposed above the switch head of the switch module.
2. The button device as described in claim 1, wherein the switch comprises a head housing, and the switch head comprises a rear end received in the head housing.
3. The button device as described in claim 2, wherein the luminous component is an LED attached to a front side of the rear end.
4. The button device as described in claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a resilient hook to catch the switch of the switch module.
5. A button device for an electronic device, comprising:
a switch module comprising a switch base fixed in the electronic device and an actuatable luminous component, the luminous component having two terminals connected to a power supply for the electronic device and being powered on or off synchronously with the power supply, the luminous component being movably attached to the switch base; and
a transparent button cap having one end secured to the electronic device, and a transparent distal free end portion for urging the luminous component to turn on or off the power supply.
6. The button device as described in claim 5, further comprising a holder fixed in the electronic device configured for receiving and mounting the switch base of the switch module therein.
7. The button device as described in claim 6, wherein the holder comprises a switch housing for mounting the switch base of the switch module therein and a resilient hook protruded at one side of the switch housing for catching the switch base of the switch module.
8. The button device as described in claim 5, wherein the switch module further comprises a switch head attached to the switch base, the switch head comprises a rear end received and mounted in a head housing of the switch base, the luminous component is attached to a front side of the rear end.
9. The button device as described in claim 5, wherein the luminous component is aligned with a central portion of the transparent portion of the transparent button cap.
10. A button device for a power supply of an electronic device, the button device comprising:
a transparent resilient button cap;
a switch module arranged behind the button cap, the switch module comprising a power supply switch for selectively switching the power supply on or off, and
a light source device for electrical connection to the power supply, the light source device being arranged between the button cap and the power supply switch, and movable relative to the power supply switch for triggering switching function of the power supply switch; and
a holder for securing the switch module to the electronic device
wherein the button cap comprises a fixed end secured to the electronic device, and a distal free end disposed above the light source device.
US11/828,361 2007-04-04 2007-07-26 Button device Expired - Fee Related US7442890B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CNU2007202002257U CN201084590Y (en) 2007-04-04 2007-04-04 Key module
CN200720200225.7 2007-04-04

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US20080245643A1 US20080245643A1 (en) 2008-10-09
US7442890B1 true US7442890B1 (en) 2008-10-28

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080073190A1 (en) * 2004-10-15 2008-03-27 James Cove Push Button Assembly
US20090040713A1 (en) * 2007-08-09 2009-02-12 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd Server enclosure
US20150334062A1 (en) * 2014-05-15 2015-11-19 The Button Corporation Oy Trigger event based response execution with automatic power on/off

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR102101256B1 (en) * 2012-12-05 2020-04-16 캐논 가부시끼가이샤 Image forming apparatus, and method for controlling image forming apparatus
CN107816458B (en) * 2017-11-23 2023-09-26 珠海格力电器股份有限公司 Dismantle power-off protection architecture and have its tower fan

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3867596A (en) * 1972-09-06 1975-02-18 Rudolf Schadow Alternate make-break pushbutton switch assembly with detent means, indicator and indicator slide switch structure
US5373132A (en) * 1991-12-24 1994-12-13 Inventio Ag Switch apparatus with signal light
US5534840A (en) * 1993-07-02 1996-07-09 Schneider Electric Sa Control and/or indicator unit
US5659297A (en) * 1995-03-27 1997-08-19 Eaton Corporation Display system
US5659162A (en) * 1995-06-27 1997-08-19 Eaton Corporation Switch assembly
US6210010B1 (en) * 1998-11-27 2001-04-03 G. & A. Engineering S.R.L. Illuminated pushbutton with colors and brightness electronically controlled
US6335500B1 (en) * 2000-11-01 2002-01-01 Ching-Yu Chi Push button type of switch
US6667451B1 (en) * 2003-03-20 2003-12-23 Eaton Corporation Push button assembly
US7145091B1 (en) * 2005-10-06 2006-12-05 Shin Chin Indutrial Co., Ltd. Waterproof and dustproof switch structure
US7202429B2 (en) * 2003-01-10 2007-04-10 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Switch with light supported in operating member
US7202432B2 (en) 2005-05-16 2007-04-10 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Switch
US7220931B2 (en) * 2003-01-10 2007-05-22 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Switching device with integrated light source
US7235754B2 (en) * 2003-09-12 2007-06-26 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Switch device provided with a light source

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3867596A (en) * 1972-09-06 1975-02-18 Rudolf Schadow Alternate make-break pushbutton switch assembly with detent means, indicator and indicator slide switch structure
US5373132A (en) * 1991-12-24 1994-12-13 Inventio Ag Switch apparatus with signal light
US5534840A (en) * 1993-07-02 1996-07-09 Schneider Electric Sa Control and/or indicator unit
US5659297A (en) * 1995-03-27 1997-08-19 Eaton Corporation Display system
US5659162A (en) * 1995-06-27 1997-08-19 Eaton Corporation Switch assembly
US6210010B1 (en) * 1998-11-27 2001-04-03 G. & A. Engineering S.R.L. Illuminated pushbutton with colors and brightness electronically controlled
US6335500B1 (en) * 2000-11-01 2002-01-01 Ching-Yu Chi Push button type of switch
US7202429B2 (en) * 2003-01-10 2007-04-10 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Switch with light supported in operating member
US7220931B2 (en) * 2003-01-10 2007-05-22 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Switching device with integrated light source
US6667451B1 (en) * 2003-03-20 2003-12-23 Eaton Corporation Push button assembly
US7235754B2 (en) * 2003-09-12 2007-06-26 Itt Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc. Switch device provided with a light source
US7202432B2 (en) 2005-05-16 2007-04-10 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Switch
US7145091B1 (en) * 2005-10-06 2006-12-05 Shin Chin Indutrial Co., Ltd. Waterproof and dustproof switch structure

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20080073190A1 (en) * 2004-10-15 2008-03-27 James Cove Push Button Assembly
US7804037B2 (en) * 2004-10-15 2010-09-28 Gamesman Limited Push button assembly
US20090040713A1 (en) * 2007-08-09 2009-02-12 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd Server enclosure
US7813136B2 (en) * 2007-08-09 2010-10-12 Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. Server enclosure
US20150334062A1 (en) * 2014-05-15 2015-11-19 The Button Corporation Oy Trigger event based response execution with automatic power on/off

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CN201084590Y (en) 2008-07-09
US20080245643A1 (en) 2008-10-09

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Owner name: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., TAIWAN

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